‘Lafayette at the Livingston Library’

    

If you are active at all in New York Freemasonry, you have at least heard about our celebration of the bicentenary of Bro. Lafayette’s history-making tour of the United States, a lengthy visit to all twenty-four states that was prompted by our fraternity to honor the last surviving general of the Revolutionary War. In fact, celebrations are happening around the country now, plus a book by Chris Ruli, published just this week, chronicles Lafayette’s progress from east to west, and from north to south, and back again.

Chris will be the Livingston Library’s guest lecturer, presenting his findings one night next month. From the publicity:

Chancellor Robert R. Livingston

Masonic Library

Live Lecture Series

Thursday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m.

“Lafayette & The Mystic Tie”

RSVP here

Join Chris Ruli as we examine the Marquis de Lafayette’s legacy with Freemasonry and his fraternal activities during his final American tour. 

The presentation is based on Ruli’s new book Brother Lafayette, copies of which will be available at the presentation.

Chris Ruli is a historian and researcher on early American Freemasonry and its often-overlooked relationship with politics and culture. He is an associate director of the Scottish Rite Research Society, Third Vice-President of the Philalethes Society, and a researcher at the House of the Temple in Washington, DC.

The Library will host this discussion in Masonic Hall’s Ionic Room on the sixth floor. Photo ID is required to enter the building.

     

‘Salon de la Rose + Croix returns’

    

The Salon de la Rose + Croix will return to the Livingston Library later this month for the lecture series. From the publicity:

Livingston Library

Live Lecture Series

March 27 at 7:30 p.m.

The Salon de la Rose + Croix

From Darkness to Light:

The Orphic and Rosicrucian

Path to Divine Unity

A philosophical and spiritual exploration through the Orphic mystery tradition and Rosicrucian thought, and the quest for divine unity. This lecture shares invaluable insights from ancient Greek culture and discusses hermetic and alchemical symbols, and artistic expressions that guide the soul from darkness to enlightenment and beyond.

The presenters are Tony Crisos and Ian Pedigo. 71 West 23rd Street, Manhattan. Tenth floor, French Ionic Room.

Tony Crisos

Tony Crisos is a versatile composer, guitarist, lyre player, philosopher, writer, and lecturer, holding a BA in Music Performance from Berklee College of Music and an MA in Music Education from Boston University. Deeply engaged with ancient Greek philosophy and religion, he founded the modern Salon De La Rose + Croix tradition at the Grand Lodge of New York. As a Hellenic priest in the initiatic lineage of Orpheus, he represents Spyridon Nagos’s lineage on ancient Greek tradition in the U.S. Tony has published extensively, notably revitalizing the Orphic tradition and the Pythagorean Harmony of the Spheres doctrine, and currently contributes as an independent researcher to the Interdisciplinary Society for Quantitative Research in Music and Medicine.

Ian Pedigo

Ian Pedigo has been a practicing visual artist for the past 25 years. He has a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Texas. Since that time, he has made work and exhibited at galleries and museums both nationally and internationally, with shows in nine countries. His work has been written about in the New York Times and The New Yorker, among other publications, as well as a monograph of his work published in 2011.

     

‘The Masons that Made the Tarot!’

    

This month, the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York will bring to the lectern Bro. Oliver Ash, who will present “The Masons that Made the Tarot!” From the publicity:

Tarot cards can be found everywhere in modern culture. There are hundreds of decks available all over the world, and the global tarot card market is expected to keep growing. Despite their popularity, many people are unaware of tarot history and, in particular, they are unaware of the profound influence that Freemasons have had on its creation.

Oliver Ash

Join Oliver Ash for a dive into the history of tarot cards, with special attention paid to those Masons who helped to begin one of the most intriguing modern spiritual traditions.

Oliver Ash is currently completing his Master’s Degree in Theological Studies at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School in Rochester. He is constructing his thesis around tarot history, which he has been studying for five years. He received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Champlain College in Vermont.

Ash was initiated into Masonry in 2022, and is acting as junior master of ceremonies in his mother lodge. His interests include Masonic ritual and history, Western esotericism and occultism, mystical spirituality, and interfaith studies. He has worked with institutions in the past related to tarot education and stimulating interfaith dialogue.

Click here to register. Photo ID is required to enter Masonic Hall. The library is located on the fourteenth floor.

     

‘Millar returns to library lecture series’

    

The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York will resume its lecture series this month, hosting Bro. Angel Millar for a return engagement. From the publicity:

Freemasonry, Fringe Masonry,

and Ritual Magic!

By Angel Millar

Thursday, January 25

7:30 p.m.

RSVP here.

Angel Millar

The most influential occult orders of the modern age were either founded by Freemasons or influenced by Masonic ritual, but was this due to a deep insight into the true meaning of the Craft? A subversion of its symbolism and history? A simple misunderstanding? Angel Millar explores Freemasonry and related traditions such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, the Ordo Templi Orientis, Wicca, Angular Magic, and Chaos Magic.

He is the author of The Three Stages of Initiatic Spirituality and Freemasonry: Foundation of the Western Esoteric Tradition, among other books. He is also the editor-in-chief of Fraternal Review and is a Fellow of the Philalethes Society.

Remember: Photo ID is required to enter Masonic Hall, which is located at 71 West 23rd Street in Manhattan. The French Ionic Room is on the tenth floor.

     

‘A Sufi Perspective of Freemasonry’

    

This month’s lecture at the Livingston Library will approach Freemasonry from an under appreciated direction: Sufism.

Sufis, according to the great F.E. Peters, one of my favorite professors in my university days, “prefer the knowledge that comes by inspiration, to the exclusion of that acquired by study. Again, they desire neither to study such learning nor to learn anything of what authors have written on the subject; to inspect neither their teachings nor their arguments. They maintain on the contrary that the ‘way’ consists in preferring spiritual combat, in getting rid of one’s faults, in breaking one’s ties and approaching God Most High through a single-minded spiritual effort. And every time those conditions are fulfilled, God for His part turns toward the heart of His servant and guarantees him an illumination by the lights of understanding.”

From the publicity:

A Sufi Perspective

of Freemasonry:

The Bektashi Order

of Dervishes

by Nazmi Mete Talimcioglu

Thursday, November 30

7:30 p.m.

Masonic Hall, Jacobean Room

RSVP here

This talk will be a high-end discussion of Sufism and, in particular, the Bektashi Order of Dervishes, its brief history and organizational structure, and the common elements of its belief system with respect to Freemasonry.

Mete Talimcioglu

R∴W∴ Mete Talimcioglu has been a Freemason since 1995, he founded Anatolia Lodge 1183 and was the first Master of the lodge. Mete was also the Assistant Grand Lecturer of his district. He served the Scottish Rite Valley of New York City, having presided over all four bodies, and received both the Meritorious Service Award and the 33°, and served as Deputy’s Representative from 2011 to 2020. Brother Talimcioglu also served in high leadership positions in Royal Arch Masonry and the Cryptic Rite.

     

‘African initiations and Kabbalistic interpretations’

    

In honor of Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research, the Library displayed various artifacts, including this set of Grand Chapter jewels from the nineteenth century.

I should have clocked it, but I’ll state unequivocally that The American Lodge of Research set a new speed record in Opening, Balloting, and Closing last night, having done it all between 6:15 and 6:50 p.m., or thereabouts. No trophy for ritual excellence, but it was a lot of fun.

That was all we had to do because the main event started at seven upstairs in the Livingston Library. Congratulations to all our new Corresponding Members, including RW George Filippidis, Bro. Alex Vastola from the Library, and Bro. Jussi from Finland! And to new Active Members, including Dan Kemble from Kentucky! Plus, we finally seated a team of Trustees, which you wouldn’t think would be so difficult, but it took a while. (One must be a legal resident of New York, and it seems many of the brethren live elsewhere.)

And we elected a Fellow, but I think I’m not supposed to say who yet, pending notification of next of kin.

We packed our gear back in storage, and headed to the fourteenth floor just in time for the joint ALR-TSW lectures. Representing Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research was Bro. Americo (of Aurora Grata-Day Star Lodge 647), who discussed “African and Afro-Diasporic Initiatory Structures and their Interaction with Masonry,” which opened our eyes to a number of things. Not only the ritual elements common to all kinds of initiatic rites, but some specific things known to Freemasons that appear in some African systems. Next up was Bro. Michael, Master of The ALR, who explained the Kabbalistic side of the three Craft degrees. When many speakers attempt to delve into this sort of topic, their enthusiasm outpaces their knowledge, but Michael nailed it. Unfortunately I had to exit before he finished, but I saw his audience was loving it.

(I’ve known Michael for years and I’ve never heard him talk so much, but let him speak on Kabbalistic content in the degrees and he’s Billy Graham!)

This event was available via Zoom, and I’m hoping it will be uploaded to the Library’s YouTube channel, and I’ll provide the link if it becomes available.

     

‘Lecture: Hidden Within the Star’

    

This month’s lecture at the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library will bring Simone-Monet Wahls to the lectern to discuss something that I would call unexpected. From the publicity:

Hidden within the Star:

Sublime Symbolism

of the Order

of the Eastern Star

By Simone-Monet Wahls

Thursday, October 26

7:30 p.m.

Masonic Hall

Jacobean Room on 8

RSVP here

Simone-Monet Wahls

Searching for deeper meaning, Simone-Monet will share links and connections she has found relating to the Order of Eastern Star.

A writer and speaker across many genres, Simone-Monet Wahls is a Past Matron of Nassau Chapter 718 and currently an Associate Matron of Alpha Chapter 1. She has been an advisor in both Masonic youth groups, DeMolay and Rainbow, since 2016. She also has been facilitator of the AMORC of the Americas Reading Room sessions from 2020 to 2023. 

     

‘Live, once again, from the Livingston Library’

    

The lecture series, live in person, at the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library is back. From the publicity:

From Gavel to Gigabyte:

Freemasonry’s Journey

Through 300 Years

of Technology

by Bro. Jason W. Short

Thursday, September 28

at 8 p.m.

Masonic Hall

Chapter Room on 12

Free & open to the public

Register here

Jason W. Short is a producer and craftsman of film and television in New York City. In 2020, he petitioned Aurora Grata-Day Star Lodge 647, where he was initiated the following year. On July 23, 2022 Jason was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason with a passion for continued study of the Craft. He is a Royal Arch Mason and a 32º Mason. He has had several guest appearances on the Craftsmen Online Podcast, and, as an avid reader, is a frequent visitor of the Livingston Library.

Masonic Hall photo

The Chapter Room.

Take note of the new start time and the meeting place. As always, photo ID is required to enter Masonic Hall.

     

‘LaRocco is library’s new leader’

    

Michael LaRocco

Michael LaRocco is the new Executive Director of the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York, the Grand Secretary announced today. From the statement:

I’m sure many of you know Bro. Michael from his appearances as a presenter in our Library Lecture Series and in his very active presence in the Metropolitan Region. Michael is a Past Master of Lynbrook-Massapequa Lodge 822, as well as the current Assistant Grand Lecturer for the Nassau District. He is a member of the Holy Royal Arch, the Cryptic Council, the Knight Templars, and the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, NMJ. He is a Past Most Wise Master of Long Island Chapter of Rose Croix, a founding member the Magus Guild of the Valley of Rockville Centre, and the Ritual Director for the Valley of Rockville Centre. He received the Meritorious Service Award from the Council of Deliberation and was elected to be coroneted a 33° Mason, to take place in August 2023.

The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Library and Museum wants to “Bring the Library to the Brothers.” As Michael has extensive professional communications expertise and is an excellent presenter, he is well suited for leading  this role in your Lodges and Districts.

He joins the Library staff of Bro. Alex Vastola, our Director of Collection Services, and Ms. Ratirat Osiri, our Curator. Please join me in welcoming him.

Congratulations Bro. Michael! Enjoy!

(It’s a dream job for me, but what do I know about running a library?)

     

‘Bolívar’s Scottish Rite regalia’

   

Magpie file photo

The Thirty-Second Degree collar and apron owned by Simón Bolívar. I shot this photo at Fraunces Tavern Museum twenty years ago when Tom Savini curated an exhibit of Livingston Library treasures there. I had this published in The Northern Light not long after.

One week from tomorrow, the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library will host an online discussion of the Scottish Rite regalia owned by Bro. Simón Bolívar. Bro. Alexander Vastola, Director of the library, will be the presenter, explaining Bolívar’s Masonic life, and how his Thirty-Second Degree collar and apron became the property of the library.

Thursday, September 29 at 7 p.m. Click here to register.

Simón Bolívar (1783-1830), “the George Washington of South America,” was a military and political leader essential to the liberation of multiple South American nations from Spanish colonial control, including Venezuela, Colombia, and, of course, Bolivia. His Masonic lodge is unknown, but history remembers him, with Argentine José de San Martin and Cuban José Martí, also Freemasons, as heroes of their nations’ wars of independence.

Central Park Conservancy

Our city has been adorned with several Bolívar monuments since 1891. The current statue was dedicated at Bolivar Hill in 1921. President Warren Harding, made a Mason the previous year in Marion Lodge 70 in Ohio, delivered a foreign policy speech on relations among the Americas at the dedication. The statue was moved to Sixth Avenue at 59th Street, at Central Park, in 1951, after Sixth was dubbed the Avenue of the Americas. (The statues of San Martin and Martí were added there later.)

     

‘A busy 24 hours!’

    

Bro. Barry Holsten of Flying Fish Brewing.

As you know, the Twenty-Four-Inch Gauge divides a day into equal periods for three essential needs, but did you ever squeeze three Masonic meetings into twenty-four hours?

That was my weekend. (It’s an improvement over how my life looked a couple of decades ago, when, every quarter, I’d have six Masonic functions between Thursday and the following Tuesday nights. No more of that, thank you.) But last Friday, there was an urgent assembly of my Cryptic Rite council, followed by the research lodge the next morning, and my AMD council that evening. Two of the three were satisfying events, so I can’t complain.

The rough spot was the bimonthly meeting of Scott Council 1 of Royal and Select Masters. I probably should have moved my York Rite memberships to New York by now, but I guess I’m sentimental—or some kind of mental. We learned days earlier that our Grand Council expects all ten of the local councils to reorganize and become just four councils. While I don’t doubt some of the Cryptic councils in our jurisdiction are truly dysfunctional and would be wise to amalgamate with a healthier group, I don’t think that’s necessary for Scott—unless, I suppose, we’re considered the stronger party. But what seems to be happening is the Grand Council wants Scott 1, Gebal 3, and Adoniram 9 to form a new Cryptic council, working out the details among ourselves. From what I’m hearing, Gebal wants nothing to do with it, while Adoniram proffered a “draft” of a consolidation plan that in reality looks like a proposal of some permanence.

I hope Scott rejects the idea. I realize not everything is perfect in the Secret Vault, but I’m not sure things at Scott are so dire that a “suggested” consolidation costing us our identity, meeting time/place, etc. is justifiable. We’re only 162 years old!

I also was unhappy to learn how the three-man delegations from each of our councils were most inappropriately staffed with dual members. The teams from both Gebal and Adoniram included members of Scott. I objected, and I think that’s been rectified already, but it makes one skeptical of the process. Also, these delegations are heavy with Grand Council officers, another potential conflict-of-interest red flag. Even worse—to my mind, at least—is the lack of transparency on the part of Grand Council. It disseminates a thirty-page monthly newsletter, but without a heads up about this consolidation plan? Great, thanks.

Bro. Alex Vastola is at labor in Yorktown-Diamond Thistle Lodge 555 in Tarrytown, New York. 

On a far happier note, New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786 hosted its quarterly Regular Communication Saturday morning. We welcomed Bro. Alexander Vastola, Director of The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York. He presented a concise description of the institution’s history, goals, resources, and role in Masonic education. The Livingston Library is the envy of most grand lodges in the country, as only a few have exhibited the forethought and commitment to create such a monument to learning. More than 60,000 books and 40,000 artifacts! I’m proud to see The American Lodge of Research, my “other” research lodge, has become a partner with the Library on a few initiatives.

And finally, on Saturday night, it was time for a relaxed summertime (almost) gathering of J. William Gronning Council 83 of the Allied Masonic Degrees. We kept to the dining room and enjoyed an engrossing presentation on the art and science of beer brewing from one of our own: Bro. Barry Holsten, founder and proprietor of craft beer’s Flying Fish Brewing Co. Naturally he augmented his talk with samples of four of his products. Temperance was maintained at all times and a great evening was enjoyed by all.

Now I’m “off” for the next two weeks.

     

‘Vastola to visit research lodge’

    

New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786 will meet next week for its quarterly Regular Communication and will host a very special guest.

Bro. Alex Vastola, Director of The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York, will be among the speakers next Saturday, bringing us up to date on the institution’s programs and other essential work.

That’s June 11 at Hightstown-Apollo Lodge 41 in Hightstown. Lodge tyles (New Jersey spelling) at 9:30 a.m.

In addition, the Brother Junior Warden will present his long awaited “Salt, Wine, and Oil” (you read correctly) paper. And, somewhere along the way, there will be a recap of Masonic Con, which finally will be hosted this Saturday in New Hampshire. A group of us are making the trip.

A continental breakfast (but don’t ask me which continent) will be available beforehand, and lunch will be served after the meeting. (I think a cookout is planned.)

     

‘The Hero of Two Worlds’

    

I can’t remember where in Masonic Hall this hangs. Corinthian?

“Insurrection is the most sacred of rights and the most indispensable of duties.”

— Lafayette

On this date in 1834, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier Marquis de La Fayette died in Paris at age 76. His remains are interred in the city at Cimetiere de Picpus—beneath soil shipped from Bunker Hill, such was the import of his role in the American War of Independence and vice versa.

That he championed the American cause, not only to smite the enemy British Empire, but to make manifest the Americans’ philosophy of individual liberty and national freedom was extremely counterintuitive for a French nobleman, if you think about his station in life. And his fighting for the Continental Army didn’t even put him in good standing when revolution, originally in the name of republicanism, was unleashed in his homeland, although it at least saved his life. In fact he lived to see various leaders and different forms of French government rise and fall, until the July Monarchy. Government troops slaughtered a crowd of civilians in April 1834. Lafayette was dead a month later. He is remembered as “The Hero of Two Worlds.”

Outside, appropriately, Colonial on 10.

Masonic historians are frustrated by the absence of a record of his initiation into the fraternity, but when he arrived in America in 1777, his Masonic membership was a given. I would say he is France’s most celebrated Freemason, at least in the eyes of American Masons. He was a Royal Arch Companion in Jerusalem Chapter 8 in New York City, as well as a Cerneau Scottish Rite 33rd Degree Mason.

(I’m assuming it’s pure coincidence, but the New York City Parks Department chose today to power wash Union Square Park’s Lafayette statue, titled “Lafayette Arriving in America,” made by Bro. Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, of Statue of Liberty fame, and dedicated in 1873.)

His famous return to the United States in 1824 consisted of a tour of all the states in the country, with Masonic celebrations along the route. The Grand Lodge of Delaware received him in 1824 and made him an Honorary Member the following year. Also in ’24, Lafayette visited the brethren in Maine and New Jersey and Maryland (another Honorary Membership there). In 1825, he was feted in South Carolina, Louisiana, Illinois, and, with another Honorary Membership, in Tennessee. Many lodges around the United States have been named in his honor.

Lafayette Lodge 27 photo

Last month Grand Master Richard Kessler led a party to a neighboring jurisdiction where its Lafayette Lodge held a ceremony to unveil a marker on The Lafayette Trail, which denotes the path of his historic tour. The New Yorkers brought with them an apron affiliated with the French hero for display that day.

Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Library photo

Click here for more on his Masonic history.

     

‘Was there more to Morgan?’

    

This month’s online lecture from the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library will offer an alternative understanding of one of American Freemasonry’s most examined episodes. RW Bro. Mark D. Issacs will look beyond the legal findings surrounding the dubitable fate of William Morgan nearly two centuries ago, and will focus on the feuding among factions allied with the era’s leading national political figures.

This will be streamed in two weeks, on February 24, from 7 p.m. The library asks for reservations here, and the lecture will be seen on YouTube here.

Magpie coverage of Masonic Week 2022 will begin Friday.

     

‘A History of Calendars’

    

I have been remiss in helping publicize the activities of the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library, but let me begin again. Next Thursday, one of the Assistant Grand Lecturers of the Tenth Manhattan District will present “A History of Calendars” in an online discussion.

VW Bro. Christophe Lobry-Boulanger will lead us through the chronology of…well, chronology. From calendars of the ancient world to medieval times and onward, with explanation of solar, lunar, and other systems, our lecturer will tell us why we mark the days as we do.

This will begin at seven o’clock and can be seen on YouTube. Make your reservation here.

Anne Frank Center

VW Bro. Christophe Lobry-Boulanger is a Past Master of La Loge France La Clemente Amitie Cosmopolite 410, one of our francophone lodges here in Manhattan. Without the temple, Bro. Christophe serves his fellow man by laboring in humanitarian relief around the world under the auspices of the United Nations. I leave it to you to internet search his name, but it seems to me he is a Mason we all can admire.

Suddenly I crave a chardonnay champagne.

     

‘Hear about the Master’s Emblem’

    

The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library’s monthly lecture series continues with an exploration of a symbol we know—but maybe haven’t contemplated much.

Very Worshipful Bro. Marshall Kern, of Victoria Lodge 56 in Ontario, will tell us about “The Master’s Emblem” in his presentation on Thursday, August 26 at 7 p.m. He is the new Grand Historian of that jurisdiction.

This will be an online event. Register here. From the publicity:

In many jurisdictions around the world, there is an emblem affixed to the apron of the Worshipful Master of a lodge to distinguish him. The emblem continues to be used on his apron as a Past Master, or if he achieves additional rank in grand lodge. The origin of the emblem can be traced to a Tuesday night in February 1814 at a tavern in London. VW Bro. Marshall Kern had traced the origin of the Master’s emblem, and explains the connection to geometry, Scripture, and Masonic ritual.

The emblem in question is not seen commonly in New York Freemasonry. The Grand Master’s apron displays it. Some lodges that deliberately choose English-style regalia have it. Nationwide, we find it in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Maybe a few other states.

     

‘Jeremy Bell at Livingston Library’

     

UPDATE: My mistake. This actually will be an online event. Click here to RSVP.

From William Hogarth: A Freemason’s Harlot.

Bro. Jeremy Bell, the art historian who postulates on Masonic clues he discerns in the artwork of Bro. William Hogarth, will lecture at the Livingston Library on Thursday, July 29 at 7 p.m.

The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library is located on the fourteenth floor of Masonic Hall at 71 West 23rd Street in Manhattan.

Photo ID is required to enter the building, and you should reserve your seat by contacting the library here.

For more on Bro. Bell and his research, click here.

     

‘The ALR and YOU, Part II’

     

I’ll close out a pretty inactive month of April with the encouraging news coming from The American Lodge of Research.

Twenty-four hours ago, a Zoom meeting was co-hosted by Grand Master Bill Sardone, Junior Grand Warden Oscar Alleyne, and ALR WM Henry Abel to announce plans and to listen to ideas concerning returning the lodge to its urgent and prestigious labors.

1. There will be elections and installations of officers on June 29 at Masonic Hall. If I understand correctly, there will be an infusion of new leadership. I do not know any names of who may become involved in moving the lodge forward. Henry did state he doesn’t want to be Master for the rest of his life, and he will step aside.

2. Improving communications with the lodge’s brethren and with the fraternity at large is a vital goal. For years there has been no website, no social media presence, and, to my knowledge, contact only with a limited number of ALR members. Fair enough, perhaps, since there haven’t been any meetings either.

3. It wasn’t defined in detail, but there is to be a kind of working relationship with the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library. As you know, the library has maintained a longstanding monthly schedule of popular lectures. There is a lot of logic in the two institutions collaborating on projects of mutual interest. If I’m not mistaken, the library and the lodge were created by many of the same Masons way back when, so we’re close family.

Surely other things to do will arise as progress develops. For my part, I volunteered to assist with reigniting The ALR’s social media activity. (I do that for other lodges and Masonic groups, including New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education’s Faceypage.) I also made myself available to the fledgling officer line. I had served in the Deacons’ chairs for a total of three years long ago, and with 19 years of experience in New Jersey’s research lodge, and as president of the Masonic Society, maybe I can help there. I definitely would want to discuss making a few logistical changes to The ALR.

We’ll know more in two months.

     

‘Salon de la Rose+Croix’

     

The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York continues its virtual programming this month with its third annual Salon de la Rose+Croix. From the publicity:

Salon de la Rose+Croix

Thursday, March 25

7 p.m. RSVP here

This month we are proud to present the third annual Salon de la Rose+Croix, featuring Tony Crisos, Adina Dabija, and Milosz Jeziorski live on our YouTube channel. The evening will begin with a short lecture on the history and philosophical value of the Golden Fleece through existing literature and archaeological findings followed by a poetry reading by Dabija, and concluding with a presentation on esoteric art by Jeziorski.

     

‘Livingston Library closes’

      

The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York is closed, according to a message today from the institution.

“Due to the increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases in New York State, the Livingston Masonic Library & Museum will be closed temporarily until further notice,” reads its website.

The civil authorities here in New York boasted today of lower transmission rates and fewer hospitalizations, while announcing lifting socialization restrictions and promising more liberalization is soon to come.

Library staff will be on duty in limited hours, but no visitations are possible.

A memo disseminated yesterday by Grand Master William M. Sardone, addressing the subject of the belated Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge now scheduled for May, says plans are being made to proceed with that meeting, and reminds “the COVID danger is real.”

“The safety of our members, their families and friends, as well as the future of our fraternity, are always part of every discussion,” Sardone adds.

The Grand Master himself was hospitalized recently to be treated for both COVID-19 and pneumonia.

He closed his letter to the fraternity with details of a Zoom conference for tomorrow night when the brethren may discuss and ask questions about the upcoming Grand Lodge session. The May 2020 annual meeting was canceled, keeping the grand staff in place an additional year.

(My own lodge has not convened since last March, instead employing Zoom for substitute meetings, plus educational lectures and planning sessions.)